How to Make a Checklist for Your Move

It is practically impossible to stay on top of everything during your relocation. There are so many different things to worry about, especially if you have children and/or pets. Staying organised, focused, prepared for anything--these are the challenges with which you are faced. So, to make your life easier before the moving process even starts, you can create a checklist for all of the tasks you need to accomplish. This way, when your removal company shows up on moving day, you'll be one step ahead of the game.

Before your relocation

The moving process can be split up into three stages: before, during and after. All of the preparation and planning takes place before moving day, which is perhaps the most crucial of the three stages.

Before your relocation, you have a number of things to worry about. Packing itself is a complicated project, but you are also responsible for creating an inventory list, a budget, managing travel arrangements and any other pre-move essentials. Of course, the contents of your personal checklist will depend on your specific situation, including your destination, the reason you are relocating and whether or not you have family or pets.

Here are some of the most common tasks you should include on your checklist, to be completed before moving day:

Create a moving inventory to keep track of what you've packed.

Do some research about removal companies in your area and obtain price estimates for your relocation.

Purchase packing supplies like boxes, tape, scissors, etc.

Label moving boxes according to which room they belong in, as well as each box's contents.

Begin packing the least essential household items first.

Create a moving budget.

Carefully choose a removal company for the job.

Notify all necessary parties of your change in address, including your bank.

Obtain medical records.

Arrange for payment of removal company on moving day.

Handle utility company accounts and cancel/transfer services.

Double-check travel arrangements prior to moving day.

During your relocation

After you've planned out your entire move (it never goes exactly according to plan), you can enjoy a brief moment of relaxation. The removal company you've hired can take care of its end, and all you have to do is oversee the move and keep tabs on your items. If you've hired a reputable removal company, you won't have to worry about being scammed.

This moment of relaxation, as we mentioned, is brief because there is still much to do. Here are some tasks you'll need to complete on moving day:

Do a final walkthrough (or two!) of your home to ensure that everything is packed and accounted for.

Prepare your home before your removal company arrives, staging the boxes in an appropriate order if possible.

Get in touch with your removal company to confirm their time of arrival and other important details.

Use your inventory list to keep track of your belongings as the movers load them onto the truck.

Review and sign all inventory sheets and the Bill of Lading.

Confirm delivery destination with the driver of the removal company truck.

Supervise the delivery and unloading of your items at your new home, using the inventory as a guide.

After your relocation

Once your removal company has unloaded all of your items from the truck, you can take a deep breath. You still have a lot of work to do, but the most stressful part is over. Now, you just need to worry about unpacking and settling in at your new home.

Of course, your relocation checklist doesn't end on moving day. Here are a few tasks you'll want to remember when you arrive at your destination:

Contact utilities companies and arrange for accounts to be transferred to your name.

Locate all important places in your new area, including the post office, the fire department, the law enforcement station, the hospital and schools.

If you have children, enroll them in the best school nearby.

Obtain emergency numbers for nearby hospitals and fire departments.

Unpack and decorate your new home.

Plan a housewarming party!

If you've completed all of these tasks--along with any other ones you may have added to your checklist--then you're ready to enjoy life at your new place. Best of luck with your relocation!